Fence-machine.



PATENTED MAR. 19, 19.07.;

J. s. BARNES. FENCE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED m. 1a. 1906.

4 sums-5113M 1.

I W X Qxitmzowa Y O I v v M; j@;/ kg Z 47 9.? g/fdw 1m: NORRIS PETERS 90., WASHINGTON, n. c.

, PATENTED MAR. 19, 1907. J. s. BARNES. FENCE MAGHINE..

APPLICATION FILE DFEB. 16. 1906.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.'

Snvcntoz No. 847,721f

PATENTED MAR. 19, 1907.

J. S. BARNES. FENUE MACHINE. APPLIOATIONYFILED FEB. 1a, 1906.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

Snoenl'oz 13 i ineoou PATENTED MAR."19, 1907 J. S. BARNES.

FENCE MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED $1313.16, 1906.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

aw-mm THE NORRIS PETERS co., wAsHmm'uN, n. c.

JOHN S. BARNES, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

FENCE-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Eatented March 19, 1907.

Application filed February 16,1906. Serial No, 301,338.

To alt "Lu/tom, it TIMI/y concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN S. BARNES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, county of Wayne, State of Michigan,-have invented a certain new and useful Improve ment in Fence-Machines; and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enable to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in fence-machines shown in the accompanying drawings and more particularly set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the machine with parts broken away. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on line x of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail view in perspective of the cam-locking roll. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the frame in which the lockingsprings are mounted. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the locking-springs. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view on line 3 g of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view on line W WV of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 9 is a detail view of a section of one type of fence formed by the machine. Fig. 10 is a detail view of a variation of a device designed to produce a dragging grip on the linewires.

The object of my invention is to construct a fence-machine which may be operated either by manual or mechanical power, but offering particularly little resistance to the operator when operated manually.

One of the purposes of my invention is to construct a fence in which the line-wires are composed of two or more strands, then plac ing several rods of the same under tension, means being provided for twisting the strands of the line-wires between the pickets to engage the same, the direction of the twist alternating between each picket, also proyiding means whereby the carriage on which the twisting-gears are mounted will travel the entire length of the strained line-wires, the construction being such that any desired space may be provided between pickets, while the distance between the line-wires may be adjusted near or far apart as re quired.

Another object of my invention is to provide means by which line-wires of different gage may be employed, adjustable means be 'ing provided by which the twist given to different gages of wire may be in accordance with the size of the wire employed.

Another feature of my invention is the novel locking and gripping means employed for holdlng the wire under tension, by wlnch others skilled in the art to which it pertains the forward end of the wire is secured, while the other end grips the wire under tension, the construction being such that both ends may be released simultaneously by one operation.

Another important feature of my invention is to insure a uniform length to each of the lateral wires of the fence. This object is accomplished by straining the laterals section by section equally through the entire length of the fence, thereby insuring the laterals of the fence being of a uniform length in order that when the fence is stretchedand stapled upon the posts that the pickets of the fence will maintain a perpendicular position throughout when the laterals are under equal tension.

Another feature of the invention is the means whereby the forward end of the lateral wire is held secured, while the opposite end of a two or more rod section is tightly gripped to hold the wire under tension, the construction being such that the wires are permitted to pass through to provide for the undue strain that would otherwise result if both ends of the wire were tightly gripped and then twisted throughout their entire length. By this means a few inches of wire is allowed to pass through the gripping-bar to provide for the increasing strain produced in twisting the laterals.

Another feature of the invention is the adjustable means employed for regulating the distance between pickets.

Another feature of the invention is the means employed to deliver the wire to the twisting-gears from the coils in which it is commercially sold.

Other features of the invention will appear by reference to the following specification and claims.

In the drawings, A A are the longitudinal members of the frame.

B is a standard secured to the frame A, in which is mounted the locking-cam roll C.

B are cross members secured in the stand ards B, one of which is provided with a slot B to receive the downwardly-turned ends of the l0cking-springs D. The free ends of these springs are supported by the adjacent bar B It will be seen that the springs i) may be adjusted laterally along the slotted bar B in order to provide the required tension on the lateral wires when a change is made in the spacing of the same in constructing the fence. The cam-roll (l is provided with a crank-arm 0 by which the roll is rotated. crank-arm, is provided to limit the movement of the cam-roll C.

E are standards rising from the distant end of the frame A, in which is mounted the roll E. This roll may be provided with encircling grooves or not, as desired.

E is a rocking wire-gripping shaft operated by a crank-arm E connected by a cahle E passing about a suitable pulley and thence connected with a stud e at right angles to the crank-ari'n C, the construction being such that when the locking-cam roll is rotated a rotating movement is also given to the rocking wire-gripping shaft E The cable E is provided with a turnbuckle E, Fig. 1, to take up the slack the Wire and to provide for suitable tension on wires of different gage. The rocking wiregripping shaft is proi'ided with apertures c at fixed intervals throughout its entire length to permit the passage of the strands constituting the line wires.

F are standards preferably secured to the floor and provided with an adjustable collar 1 f, on which is designed to rest a frame f,

provided with openings for the passage of wire. This frame is loosely mounted on the standard F to admit of its ree rotation.

G are coils of wire encircling the standards F and resting upon the floor.

H is a collapsible roll mounted on a shaft 71 supported in, suitable hearings on the end of the machine. This shaft is provided with an operating-crank arm ll and a ratchet 7t, the ratchet being locked by the dog 72 mounted on the frame A. The roll ll, which is designed to roll or bundle the fence fabric as it is formed, is provided with a grippingbar 7L3 to secure the ends of the longitudinal wires forn'iing the fence.

I is a carriage traveling in suitable ways on the frame A in which are mounted the i I .T 4 l 5 gear a is thrown out of engz' jrnicnt v, 1th {is twisting-gears J. These twisting-gears are provided with openings through which the strands of the line-wires pass, the construction of the twisting-gears, however, forming no part of the present invention.

J is a shaft mounted in hearings on the traveling carriage supporting the gears J which mesh with and drive the twistinggears J. V

J is a short shaft sleeved on the end of the shaft J. Mounted on this shaft J a pinion J, meshing with an idler J", which in turn drives the gear J, loosely journaled on a shaft mounted in the traveling carriage, its hnn having a ratchet engagement r viizh end of tee s aft J" extending across die ma chine, is a pinion '7 A suitable stop 0, engaging the 1 engagement with i'h end of the sha'f bevelgear l. and cirgagz ml with tin ear 1'.

inser ed between the pinion fl and the .5

, twisting strands of different gage. i.

J and J are rack-h "s mounted til the longitudinal memlers A. if the frame of the machine, the pinio s if and J meshing \i it h the rack-bars J and if? respec 'el' J is a milled nut hm ing a SUPWH breaded rt t 1 1 loosening which the gear J mar out of lcching enga teeth i 7 of the pinion d, l'l OH the carriage l out if operaticn, as noted that the drii im -mnion fl meshes a ill= the idler J and it v; he go a r if.

The shaft of the 7 tr d is sac-cur slotted way j, (indicatrd in Fig. 1, also shown in l cured in said way hy a bolt 1 of the slotted bearing for the shaf idler J is to provide means whrrr-l mediate gears of different diameter may he J, the change in the d'ameter of the pinion d' neeessitatmg a like rhanga e in the SE20 of the gear J, the ob eet heme to provide for understood that the smaller the employed the greater the number of required to [DR-lit a serviceable i'enre 1 18 a bm ehgerr mounted on he shaft meshing with 711 idle bevel-gear mounted on the short shal t J supoorted in thr volts r 1 .1

L. lhe bevel-gear l ls provided wnn ratchetlare i, whirh meshes with a like ratrhet formed on the opposing fave of th gear J. "he bevelwgar l H prm-idnt with a ratchet-face, as indicated at i", thrteeth, however, being rut in the ()l 'tl tinili The opposimzj fare direction to those on i. of the gar J is also provided with -o1npl mentary atelwt-teeth.

l is a eranlnarm mounted on the end of the short shaft J.

it will be seen that by thrusting the at J into engagement with the rattheh" on the bevelar i that the twistin will be operated in one direction hetwri 1 om set of pickets. To reverse the twisting of the wire between the next set of pi lads, t

I l l M. is a pinion mounted on the shaft Fli Meshing with this pinion is a gear 1n, oun naled in suitable hearings in the tram hu carriage l The gear in is provided with a 3 stop In; to limit the rotation of the gear in 5 one direction.

. gear M, by means of w M is an adjustable stop srwurrd to hich the distanw riled, for it will lit tment of this stop the seen that by the adjiu l travel of the carriage will be limited in one same].

direction when said stop comes in contact with the pinion M by the rotation of the gear M.

To provide means whereby the line-wires may be spaced any suitable distance apart, the twisting-gears J are made adjustable laterally on the frame, which is slotted for this purpose, and are held in position by suitable locking-nuts 1' In order to construct a fence having a round-arch picket, as indicated in Fig. 8, I have provided a hood j, which houses the teeth of the first twistinggear in order to protect the arched portion of the picket from becoming entangled in the teeth of the gear during the rotation of the same. It will be understood that when this type of picket is inserted in the crotch formed by the strands of the line-wire that the arched portion will project to a point equal to the distance between pickets. It is therefore necessary to protect this form of picket from the teeth of the first twistinggear by hooding the gear.

K is an auxiliary carriage supported in suitable Ways on the traveling carriage I, hav ing a shelf K on which to rest the picket to be inserted, the back of the shelf being provided with an upstanding comb K between the teeth of which the lateral wires pass.

K are rackdoars supported by the carriage I, and K are gears meshing with the rack-bars and operated by the lever K By providing the auxiliary carriage K with a rack-and-pinion movement on both sides of the machine under control of the operating-lever K I am enabled to drive the pickets into the several crotches with equal force. When the laterals are placed closer together near the ground, as in some forms of fieldfence, this feature is of particular importance.

L is a hopper to receive the pickets supported in the standards rising from the traveling carriage I.

L is a hooked arm pivoted in the frame of the hopper, the hook being designed to engage the picket last inserted, so that after the fence fabric is released from the locking devices and is wound upon the winding-drum the carriage I will be drawn to the forward end of the machine in position for operationon a new sectlon of the fence.

to the wires by a slight rotation of the drum H, the operator at the same time engaging both ends of a two or more rod section of lateral wires, as the length of the machine may permit, by operating the wire locking and gripping mechanism. The traveling car riage I is then brought to the forward end of the machine, and the wire is twisted by rotating the t *isting-gears. A bundle of loose pickets is placed in the hopper L,and a picket is inserted between the strands of the line-wires and then forced into the crotch of the same by operating the auxiliary carriage K, provided. with the comb K which carries the picket snugly into the crotch. The crank-arm I is then rotated, twisting the line-wires together and around the picket, thus locking the picket in position, the length of the twist between pickets being controlled by the position of the stop M on the gear M. 'When the line-wires have been twisted a suitable distance, as controlled by the stop referred to, a new picket is inserted between the strands of the line-wire and forcedinto the crotch by operating the lever K controlling the movement of the auxiliary carriage K. The crank-arm I is again operated,the ratchet on the face of the gear J being first thrust into the ratchet of the opposite bevel-gear, thus reversing the movement of the twisting-gears J and cansing the twisting of the strands to be formed in the opposite direction to that between the preceding pickets last inserted. This operation is repeated and continued until the entire length of the line-wires under tension is formed into fence fabric. It will be seen that as the section of lateral wires is twisted around the pickets that the tension would naturally increase. To provide for the increasing strain, the construction of the wiregripping bar E is such that the lateral wires will draw through the apertures e, which are of su'lllcient size to permit this movement, thereby compensating for the undue increasing strain on the laterals which would other wise result. The locking mechanism holding the wires under tension is then released by a movement of the crank-arm C, controlling the cam-roll C and the rocking wire-gripping shaft E thus permitting the wire to pass freely through the same. The fence fabric is now wound upon the collapsible drum until the last picket reaches a position ad jacent to the cam-locking roll, when the lateral wires are again put under tension and locked. It will be seen that as the fabric is wound upon the collapsible drum that the traveling carriage will be drawn forward, due to the engagement of the hooked bar L with the picket last inserted. The operation just described is now repeated until the required length of fence is formed.

The variation shown in Fig. 10 for pro ducing the dragging grip on the strands of the line-w es shows a construction wherein IIO should it become necessary to change the distance between the lateral wires in making up tl e di'li'erent styles of fence the wires may be set any predetermined distance apart without rethreading the machine, as would be required in the form shown in the other figures. It will be readily understood that in order to do this all that will be required is to rotate the gripping-bar sul'liciently to release the tension, when the wires may be adjusted laterally to meet the purposes of the fence. This is accomplished. by for-min the gripping-bar E with an elongated slot extending the width of the machine, or the bar may consist of two strips placed side by side, leaving a spacebetween for the passage of the wires, the ends of the bar being set in hubs supported in the frame of the machine and free to rotate therein, as shown in the figure referred to. Engaging one end of the gripping-bar is the crank-arm E, to which is en- 1 gaged. th cable E for operating the same, as shown m Figs. 2 and 3 ol' the dranungs.

heretofore referred to consists in the fact that the length oi the maclnne may be added to or reduced. as required by inserting or removing sections of the longitudinal members i ol the frame E, which are connected. to-

gether at the points A, (shown in Fig. 1,)

where they are secured together by suitable By this means I am en i wires of the fence under tension, means for twisting said strands together from picket to picket inserted between the said strands while under tension, and means for bundling the finishedv product after the tension on the line-wires is released, substantially as de-- as to permit the passage of wire to relieve the increasing strain caused. by twisting the strands together, and means for twisting said strands together throughout the length of said ext ended section between an d around the pickets, substantially as described.

l. lln a wired ence machine, means tor gripping one end of the line-wires of an ex.- tended section offence consisting of a r .1cl-; ing cam-roll journaled in the frame of the machine, means for rocking said amid-oil. springs housed below said rocking cam-roll in the frame of the machine, the construction being suchthat the line-wires pass between said springs and the rocking cam whereby said cam when partially rotated. will grip .iid wires between the cam and the springs, substantially as described.

5. In a wire-fence machine, means for gripping one end of the line-wires consisting of a rocking cam-roll journaled in the ihuune of the machine, means for rocking said ca1n roll,spr1ngs ho used within the lirame ol the n1 a An important l'eature o'l my invention chine below said cam-roll adapted for lateral ad ustment, the constructlon being such that said springs may be set so that the inn 1 wires may pass between the springs and the 3. In a wire-fence machine, meai'is located 1 a dragging grip on the opposite end of the cxtended section, the construction being such said said suhrocking cam however spaced, whereby cam when partially rotated will grip wires between. the cam and the springs, stantially as described.

6. in a wire-fence machine, means located between the wind-up or lnnnlling drum 1: nd the teed-Wire reels oi the machine for put ting an extendr. l section 01 the line-wires ol the fence under tension, said means consisting ol devices for gripping the line-wires at one end and providing a dragging grip on the oppo site end of an extended section, substantial ly described.

7. In. a wiredence machine, means located between the wiml-up or bundling drum and the feed-wire reels of the machine for putting in extended section of the line-wi otthe l encc under tension, said means consisting of devices for gripping the line-wires at one end and providing a dragging grip on the opposite end of an extended section, a reciprocating carriage adapted to travel the length of said. extended sectionv provided with twisting-gems tor twisting the strands o'l the line-wires together between and around the pickets, driving gears for operatin said twisting-gears and also the reciproczt'ting carriage, substantially as described.

8. in a wire-fence machine, means located retween the wind-up or bundlil'ig drum and he iced-wire reels of the machine for puting an extended. section ol the li]'l()\"r'l."S ol the fence under tension, consisting o'l deviws for securely gripping the line-wires at one end and provided with i'neans l or moducing n dragging grip on the opposite end of an 0::- tendcd section, a rrcirn'ocal'ing earring.- on

L L t which are mounted twisting-gears designed to twist the strands forming the lateral wires together, suitable driving-gears to operate the twisting-gears and to control the movement of said carriage, substantially as de scribed.

between the wind-up or bundling drum and the feed-wire reels of the machine for putting an extended section of the line-wires under tension, said means consisting of devices for securing the line-wires at one end and providing a dragging grip on the same at the opposite end of the extended section of linewires, a reciprocating carriage 011 which are mounted twisting-gears for twisting together the strands between and around the pickets of the fence, and means for determining the distance between pickets in said twisted section, said means being adjustable to adapt it for varying conditions, substantially as described.

10. In a wire-fence machine, a reciprocating carriage on which are mounted twisting gears for twisting the strands of the line wires together between and around the pickets of the fence, means for reversing the direction of the twist between alternate pickets, and adjustable means for regulating the distance twisted between pickets, said means consistingwof a movable stop secured to a gear driven by the driving-gear, the construction being such that the movement of the gear will cause the stop to come in con tact w1 th the driving-gear, thus stopping the rotation of the twisting-gears and indicating the predetermined distance between pickets, substantially as described.

11. In a wire-fence machine, a reciprocating carriage on which are mounted twistinggears for twisting together the strands forming the line-wires of the fence, the construction being such that the gearing operating the twisting-gears will control the travel of the carriage, means for stopping the movement of the twisting-gears when the strands are twisted a predetermined distance between pickets consisting of an adjustable stop secured to one of the operating-gears arranged to limit the movement of said gear in any one direction, substantially as described.

12. In a wire-fence machine, a reciprocating carriage on wh ch are mounted twistinggears to twist together the strands forming the line-wires of the fence, the construction being such that the movement of the said carriage will be regulated by the, predetermined travel of the twisting-gears, means for reversing the direction of the twist between alternate pickets, and means for regulating the number of times said strands are twisted together between pickets and the distance from one picket to the next, substantially as described.

13. In awire-fence machine, means located between the wind-up or bundling drum and the feed-wire reels of the machine for putting an extended section of the line-wires of the fence under tension consisting of gripping devices at one end and tension devices 1 (Lil bilG other end Of the IIlSICIIIIIG t0 GD JELQG the 9. In a wire-fence machine 11168118 located I extended section of the line-wires, a traveling carriage uesigned to reciprocate between the ends of said line-wires, said carriage provided with twisting-gears through which the strands of the line-wires pass, suitable gearing meshing with said twisting-gears and operated through a driving-gear meshing with the rack-bars over which the carriage traveis, and means consisting of a suitable clutch mechanism for throwing the driving-gear in or out of engagement, substantially as described.

14. In a wire-fence machine, means for putting an extended section of the line-wires of the fence under tension, consisting of devices for gripping the line-wires at each end of the extended section, a reciprocating carriage adapted to travel the length of said extendedsection on which are mounted twisting-gears for twisting the strands forming the line-wires of the fence together between and around the pickets, said twisting-gears operated by means of gearing engaging a rack mounted on the frame of the machine, the construction being such that the movement of the carriage along the rack is controlled by the predetermined travel of the twistinggears, substantially as described.

15. In a wire-fence machine, means located between the wind-up or bundling drum and the feed-wire reels of the machine for putting an extended section of the line-wires under tension, said means consisting of devices for securing the line-wires at one end and providing a dragging grip on the opposite end of the extended section, a reciprocating carriage on which are twisting-gears to twist together the strands forming the line- .wires of the fence, and means for reversing the twist between alternate tially as described.

16. In a wire-fence machine, a reciprocating carriage on which are mounted the twisting-gears for twisting together the strands forming the line-wires of the fence, means for holding the line-wires under tension by suitable gripping devices forming part of the machine, an auxiliary carriage mounted on said traveling carriage having a comb between the teeth of which the strands of the line-wires pass, said auxiliary carriage mounted on a rack and operated by a pinion meshing with the rack on the frame of the machine and controlled by a suitable operatinglever, substantially as described.

17. In a wire-fence machine, means for gripping an extended length of the strands constituting the line-wires of the fence, adjustable means for twisting said strands together from picket to picket, the construcpickets, substantion being such that the twist may be regnlated to the distance between pickets and the gages of wire employed, substantially as described.

18. In a wire-fence machine designed to hold extended lengths of wire strands under tension while twisting them together to form substantially as described.

19. In a wire-fence machine designed to hold an extended section of the strands form ing the line-wires of the fence under tension,

" strnetion being such that t the line-wires of the fence, means for prodncing a dragging grip on the strands of wires, l the construction being such that when it be comes necessary to change the distance between the line-wires they may be adjusted i laterally without rethreading the machine,

means l'or producing a dragging grip cons ing of two bars nn'mntcd in adjacent relariml between which the strands of the line-minis pass, said sniti'ibly mounted Mimi-ub they may be given a iociing movement nindncing a dragging grip on the \i'ii'cs, the molthe strands ,lez'nh ing the line-wires may be gii'en a lateral jnstn'ient without rethroading the machine. substantially as described.

In testimony n'llcreel ill sign this i 'ptf'tliilzk tion in the presence ol tn'o witnvsses.

' JUN)? Witnesses llsxin' .lil. i irinnni'rr, Q i an a s. it. inotilis. 

